Classic Poem

See how the Fates their gifts allot,
For C is happy — L is not.
Yet L is worthy, you'll agree,
Of more prosperity than C.
Is L more worthy?
Oh, dear me!
He ought to have far more than C.

Yet C is happy!
Oh, so happy!
Jeering, Ha! ha!
Fleering, Ha! ha!
Profiteering, Ha! ha! ha! ha!
Ever joyous, gay, and free,
Happy, undeserving C!

If I were Fortune — which I'm not —
L should enjoy C's happy lot,
And C should languish in a cell,
That is, assuming I am L.
But should C languish?
Ay, in hell!
(Of course, assuming I am L.)

L should be happy!
Oh, so happy!
Smiting, Ha! ha!
Fighting, Ha! ha!
Dynamiting, Ha! ha! ha! ha!
But in misery he must dwell,
Wretched, meritorious L!

See how the Fates their gifts allot,
For C is happy — L is not.
Yet L is worthy, you'll agree,
Of more prosperity than C.
Is L more worthy?
Oh, dear me!
He ought to have far more than C.

Yet C is happy!
Oh, so happy!
Jeering, Ha! ha!
Fleering, Ha! ha!
Profiteering, Ha! ha! ha! ha!
Ever joyous, gay, and free,
Happy, undeserving C!

If I were Fortune — which I'm not —
L should enjoy C's happy lot,
And C should languish in a cell,
That is, assuming I am L.
But should C languish?
Ay, in hell!
(Of course, assuming I am L.)

L should be happy!
Oh, so happy!
Smiting, Ha! ha!
Fighting, Ha! ha!
Dynamiting, Ha! ha! ha! ha!
But in misery he must dwell,
Wretched, meritorious L!